My White Privilege - Or the last time I broke the law - Updated June 2025

A poorly constructed cross on South Table Mountain

Updated 6/8/2025 with a new reflection and some old news - I have privileges not afforded to others, and this is the bottom line of this post, repeated for clarity, “Obviously, writing about crimes and admitting to them carries risks. But somehow, I don't think anyone will take the time and effort to do anything about it. That is a privilege I have as well.” I recognize my privilege, but on the other hand, try to fight for others to have the same rights (and privileges) that I do. I try hard to be an anti-racist.

One reason this blog came to mind was just a lucky happenstance. I was at the Golden History Museum and noticed tapes and transcripts of interviews with at the time, Living Landmarks. One of them, Lorraine Wagenbauh was our neighbor and somewhat of a historian in Golden until her passing. We shared the existence of the tape with her daughter Margo, who moved back to Golden recently.. She was so thrilled to hear her mother’s voice, and shared a transcript of the conversation with us. Mrs. Wagenbach was Catholic, and while there were no Jews or Blacks in Golden, she was well aware of the anti-Catholic sentiment of the KKK and had researched their activities in Golden in the 20s. She mentioned that rather than calling themselves KKK, they were called Minute Men. So I researched references to that in the old Golden Transcript and found these two stories that stood out. The first is actually an ad.

And an article about a huge parade of regional KKK members supported by the local chapters.

Maybe it’s because I percieve that Trump wants us to forget some of our ugly history, that I am reminded that it is around us all the time. The fact that Golden is still very white, to this day, is testimony to its history. Were it not for the international nature of Colorado School of Mines, how diverse would Golden be to this day?

Updated January 2025 to reflect the racist stickers posted on public signs at Golden’s edge.

Another Racist incident in Golden - Click on the link to see additional pictures, sadly. In 2024 I helped remove a cross from South Table Mountain. I declared at that time that it was at least tone deaf if not outright racist to put a cross up on castle rock. Whether it was the same people or not, it is hard to believe these stickers were placed (it is vandalism) on these public signs on Rimrock Drive in Golden. This behavior is not acceptable. It is vandalism, racist, and does not represent the values of Golden. Where do these beliefs come from? If you share these beliefs, why? What got you to that place?

On Friday, May 17, Barb Warden posted a picture on Golden Today of a cross on South Table Mountain (STM), along with a story about some of the KKK history associated with it. By Saturday morning, a neighbor asked if I would help him tear it down. I broke the law by riding my bike to the top (on public trails), crossing onto private land, and pulling down the cross using a rope conveniently left by the perpetrators. There is no justification for placing a cross on Castle Rock; it's tone-deaf, hateful, and inappropriate. So, I trespassed and removed it. If you didn't know Castle Rock was privately owned, that's understandable; many people don't. I have some thoughts on protecting it and other ideas in a different blog post.

Tearing down this hateful symbol required me to trespass. So be it. It reminded me of another incident involving public property. About 12 years ago, I noticed "NIG***S" (the N-word) pressed into the concrete next to a storm sewer cover. It was very legible and seemed directed toward a nearby house. After passing it for days or weeks, it really bothered me. One morning, I took a stone chisel, a hammer, and my determination, and I removed the offensive language. It might have taken two efforts to make it illegible. When I mentioned this to someone today, they suggested pouring a skim coat of concrete over it. I think that would have just filled in and flaked off, so I'm okay with my method. Years later, it is still weathered differently but otherwise intact.

Another trespass during COVID times

During the COVID pandemic, I trespassed again. I don't remember the exact date, but I walked through some unfinished townhomes that are now occupied. I was curious about the features and construction and didn't take anything. Even if someone saw me, no one reported it. People sometimes ask what "white privilege" is. That's an example; no one called the police on me or followed me, unlike what happened to Ahmaud Arbery.

Further trespasses for other goals

I have trespassed on CDOT property to pick up trash, as well as private land owned by Coors and others near Clear Creek. One time, I entered the abandoned building at 311 10th Street and gave myself a tour before the decision was made to tear it down. Walking the halls and atrium convinced me, with my engineering and technical knowledge of heating and cooling, that the building was a nightmare for energy efficiency and likely not worth saving. A later study confirmed my beliefs. Again, if anyone saw me, and I took nothing, it came to nothing. I was safe in my world.

Minor offenses

Have I gone over the speed limit? Sure, who hasn't? I've driven with one headlight at times but haven't been stopped for it. Like Obama, I smoked weed in college to get high—“that was the point,” as he said. I'm sure I could come up with more examples, but you get the point.

Reflections on white privilege

Much of this came to mind when considering the opposite experiences for Black Americans. Since the War on Drugs, and the discretion police have to stop people for minor offenses, sometimes for victimless crimes, I have a greater appreciation for the privilege I have that I did not earn but was simply given to me. An eye-opening read I found in my neighborhood mini-library has been on my mind.

Incarceration and its impacts

The book, well-written and backed by case law, explains how and why we incarcerate more people than almost any other country but do not have lower crime rates as a result. The impact on individuals is striking. A woman, (Clifford Runoalds) , refused to provide testimony in a drug sweep because she had witnessed no crime. She was arrested and charged with a felony for failure to cooperate. Eventually, all charges were dropped, but during her month in jail, she lost her job, apartment, furniture, and car. Really? The chances of that happening to me? Nil.

Obviously, writing about crimes and admitting to them carries risks. But somehow, I don't think anyone will take the time and effort to do anything about it. That is a privilege I have as well.